Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

Job Task

• Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
• Administer medication, immunizations, and blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
• Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination and operating rooms, and animal loading/unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments and equipment.
• Collect laboratory specimens such as blood, urine, and feces for testing.
• Assist professional personnel with research projects in commercial, public health, or research laboratories.
• Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
• Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
• Fill medication prescriptions.
• Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
• Monitor animals' recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• Perform enemas, catheterization, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, and gavages.
• Perform hygiene-related duties such as clipping animals' claws, and cleaning and polishing teeth.
• Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests such as taking and developing x-rays.
• Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
• Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions such as diet lists and schedules.
• Prepare surgical equipment, and pass instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
• Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
• Educate and advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, and behavior problems.
• Exercise animals, and provide them with companionship.
• Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.
• Perform accounting duties, including bookkeeping, billing customers for services, and maintaining inventories.
• Perform office reception duties such as scheduling appointments and helping customers.
• Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals and disposal of corpses.
• Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, and breeding.
• Sell pet food and supplies to customers.
• Write reports, maintain research information, and perform clerical duties.
• Teach pet owners in obedience classes to train dogs to obey commands and perform specific tasks in response to signals.

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